Muskogee Couple May Be Forced To Sell Home For Parking Lot

Parking problems are causing headaches for some homeowners in Muskogee. The City Council will consider Monday night whether to move forward with a plan to acquire property to build more parking for a Veteran's Administration call center.

Orlin and Cathy Phillips have lived at 211 North G street for nearly 20 years. Cathy has owned the home for much longer than that.

"We babysit a lot; our grandkids love coming to grandma and grandpa's," said Cathy Phillips, Muskogee homeowner.

They've raised kids and some of their grandchildren there. It's paid for. It's comfortable. To them, it's home.

"This house we were willing to retire in, and be here the rest of our days, but now it looks like that's not going to happen," said Orlin Phillips.

That's because the Phillips' house is one of a dozen properties the city of Muskogee may buy to build a parking lot for the Veteran's Administration call center that is cater-corner to their home.

That makes the couple uneasy.

"We'll be forced to move out of our home, that we don't want to move, and then we have to take whatever they choose to give us," Cathy said.

Which they fear won't be enough to buy another house.

They want the city to explore other options. The city says it's done that, and other adjacent property has churches, retail businesses or too many houses they'd have to buy, driving up the cost. Plus, the section that includes the Phillips' house already includes several vacant lots.

Still, the Phillips feel powerless.

"It kind of makes you feel insignificant," Orlin said. "Makes you wonder what city government can do whenever they just decide to."

If the council approves the plan, appraisals would be done before negotiations in the half block area.

The Phillips realize parking is needed. They just hate the thought of moving.

"I feel like the little guy. David versus Goliath," said Muskogee homeowner Orlin Phillips.

If it comes to it, the city could force the issue with eminent domain. The city parking authority would own the lot with spaces leased to the federal government or to individual employees.